Modular framework components

ABSTRACT

Modular framework components which assemble to provide a threedimensional framework having a plurality of three-dimensional portions each including a frame having four corners with connecting means of the components at each corner to interconnect the components so that said frames will be arranged corner-tocorner in a matrix formation with the corner-to-corner diagonals of said frames extending in the row and column directions of said matrix formation.

United States Patent [12] Inventor Leo-Mr. 3,466,824 9/1969 Troutner 52/648 50 m Fell! Mill l w Selle FOREIGN PATENTS 2| A i N w 656,703 11/1951 0N8! Britain 52/6411 E, I, m 6,7l6,75l 6/l968 Mammal"... 52/648 "mm l l,227.064 2Il960 France 52/648 [32] "I 12,196. 283,568 4/l9l5 Germany 52/650 OTHER REFERENCES [3|] IV 143300 FR. addition 76525, in add. to FR 1,227,064, 1 shp. dwg. 2

P 2 9" 18564 1541 MODULAI numxwou com'onms -fi 3'? I5 ch as m m Assistant amlner- It ll L. Ridgill, Jr.

Attorney-Steven, Davis, Miller & Mocher 1521 0.8. (:1. 52/650,

52/655 [5|] ht.Cl. M5114,

5041: 3/02 AISTRACT: Modular framework components which assem- [SOI field 61m ..52/648-650, ble to provide a three-dimensional framework having a plu- 518L646, 645,655 rallty of three-dimensional portion: each including a frame having four corners with connecting means of the components (56] at each corner to interconnect the components so that aid UNITED STATE PA'IENTS frame: will be arranged oorner-to-corner in a matrix forma- 2.939,554 6/l960 BOIIOI'I =1 .1. 52/650 tion with the comfl-w-comer dimnlh of w 3.2 1 5,1011 1 H1965 on; 52/650 lendint in the 1nd column directionof mid mtrix forma- 3,364,633 l/l968 r616 52/581 lion- PATENTEU Aus24 ran I nvenlor A llorney) PATENTEU AUG24 I971 SHEEI 3 OF 4 I I noenlor LEO PEmm A florney;

MODULAR FRAMEWORK COMPONENTS The present invention relates to modular, or standardized, framework components.

For the industrialized manufacture of structures, particularly frameworks, an assembly of components providing a constant unit of dimension is desirable. The present invention is concerned with components of this type, the use of which is such as to permit rapid assembly and possibly dismantling of framework structures, such as for walls. ceilings and roofings of all kinds. Thus an object of the present invention is to provide such components of a modular nature enabling structures to be assembled with dimensions which are an integral multiple of the modular unit.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a modular framework components a plurality of which assemble to provide a three-dimensional framework having a plurality of three-dimensional portions each including a frame having four comers with connecting means of the components at each of said corners to interconnects said components so that said frames will be arranged corner-to-corner in a matrix fen-nation with the corner-to-comer diagonals of said frames extending in the row and column directions of said matrix formation, said component having a three dimensional form and comprising: at least a portion of said frame; and said conncct ing means at each of said corners provided by said component.

These components may be made of a variety of diflerent materials, particularly of rolled or stamped steel, of bent, coldshaped and pressed sheet metal and wood.

Preferably, the connecting means have holes, which might extend diagonally of the frames, so that adjacent frames can be connected by bolts or the like.

In one embodiment a framework component is provided having a three-dimensional fonn and comprising, at two opposite sides, respective frames each having four comers provided with respective members by which said component may be connected to a like component with their frames corner-tocomer, and means connecting together the said frames of said component.

The component may be of parallelepiped form, for example. Preferably, each frame is of rhombus, or square form.

A preferred embodiment comprises a component of parallelepiped form with square frames, the diagonals of which are equal to a modular unit M,Each frame then has a surface area equal to M/y/)'=M/2. The transported volume ofthe component is thus equal to half the volume (M) which the component occupies in the matrix formation, M being the area of each square section of the matrix. However, this transported volume can be still further reduced by constructing the component of parts which can be dismantled and are capable of being stacked for transportation.

Alternatively, the component may be of zigzag formation with said connecting means at the apices of the zigzag formation for joining two of said components apex-to-apex to provide a sequence of said frames diagonally aligned.

In another embodiment the component is of pyramid form with the base of the pyramid being said frame with four corners at which are respective connecting members for connecting said frame corner-to-corner to like frames, there being a further connecting member at the apex of the said pyramid for joining two such components apex-to-apex.

In a further embodiment, the component comprises four sections of pyramid form the bases of which are four-cornered frames connected together in a matrix array corner-to-comer and the apices of which are connected together by bars defining a further frame having four corners at respective apices, and connecting members at said comers of said further frame and at each free one of said comers of said bases for connecting the component to other components comer-to-comer.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a framework constructed of assembled modular components as set forth hereinbefore.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of two assembled structural components in accordance with one form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view ofajoint on the line II-II of FIG. 4;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the framework, along the line Ill-III of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a framework formed of several components according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of two assembled structural components in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a view of a plurality of stacked structural components;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating one method of connecting two structural components;

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing one method of assembling a framework by means of joined zigzag components;

FIG. 8A is an enlarged detail of one of the bosses 38;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of component;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of two assembled components providing an inclined plane;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a component comprising sections of pyramid form;

FIG. 12 is a section of an assembly detail for the sections of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a section of an assembly detail on the line XIII- XIII of FIG. 15;

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a method of connecting bars which form frame members of the component of FIG. I I;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a framework formed of components comprising sections of pyramid form;

FIGS. 16 to 18 are views in plan and in elevation of a component of pyramid form;

FIG. 19 is a view of a compression bar for assembling components according to FIGS. 16 to 18;

FIG. 20 is a section of an assembly detail along the line XX-XX of FIG. 23;

FIG. 21 is a section of an assembly detail along the line XXI-XXI of FIG. 23.

FIG. 22 is a section of a further assembly detail applicable to FIG. 23;

FIG. 23 is a plan view of a framework formed of several components according to FIGS. l6 to 18; and

FIG. 24 is a section of a framework on the line XXIV- XXIV ofFIG. 23.

FIG. 1 shows two components A and Al each in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, these components being connected together along a diagonal plane of each component. Each component is in the form of a parallelepiped with a square base the diagonals of which are equal to a modular dimension M. The component comprises basically an upper, square, frame 50 formed of four bars I welded on four connecting members 2, a lower, square, frame 51 formed of four bars 3 welded in the same manner on four members 2, and a lattice 4 connecting the upper and lower frames.

Each member 2, positioned at the corners of the frames, is drilled with a hole 5, the axis of which is in the diagonal plane of the frame and into which a bolt 6 is to be fitted, as will be seen from FIGS. 1 and Z. The members 2 may be cut away on their external faces to provide bosses surrounding the holes 5, so as to permit the passage between them of flat bars with a thickness 1 (FIG. 2) for fixing to complementary triangulation beams, girders or bars.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a framework formed of six identical components A, showing the continuity of the beams which it is possible to obtain. Each component of diagonal dimension M and with an upper and lowersurface area equal to(M/ =M'l2 occupies a square area of M in the resulting matrix. The transported volume or envelope of the component is thus equal to half of the volume of the structure in which it is disposed when assembled. However, it is possible to reduce even more the transported volume or envelope, by adopting the arrangement which is shown in FIG. 5. The lower frame 5! formed of four bars 3 and four members 2 and the lattice 4 are identical with those of the components illustrated in FIG. I.

Four tapped bosses 7 are welded to the upper part of the latlice 4 at four points corresponding to the centers of the sides of the upper frame 50 of the component of FIG. I. Upper X- shaped sections 8 and L-shaped sections 9 connected to the bosses 7 make it possible to form an upper, square, frame portion corresponding to the upper frame 50 of the element of FIG. I.

The parts 7, 8 and 9, shown in FIG. 7, are connected by screws 10 (FIG. 7) which extend through smooth holes of plates II welded to the ends of the tubular portions of which sections 8 and 9 are constructed. The screws 10 are engaged in the tapped holes of the boss 7. A nut 12 is welded on each screw I0 after moderate tightening against the plate I]. The connection of the parts 7, 8 and 9 is effected at the time of assembly by causing the nuts I2 to turn. this causing the rotation and the engagement of the screws in the tapped holes of the bosses 7. The adjustment of the nuts I2 makes it possible for a camber to be given to the structures.

The lower frames SI and the lattices may be stacked, for the purpose of transportation, as shown in FIG. 6.

According to another embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 8, the lower and upper frames of the framework are formed by a multiple connection in zigzag form of components forming connected half-frame members comprising bars 36 between which an angle is formed, fixing bosses 37 being disposed at the apices.

At the ends of the components or beams, washers 39 and dished washers 40 enable the connection of the components or beams to be carried out.

These washers are fitted on the cutaway parts of half-bosses 38 and the tightening of a bolt passing through the washers 39 and 40 between the bosses 38 ensures the locking of the different parts.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a structural com ponent which makes it possible for the transported volume to be reduced considerably. The frames 13 are separate from each other so that they need be connected only at the time of assembly, in this case by compression uprights I4 indicated diagrammatically by flat bars nested on the cutaway parts of the members 2, and by tensioning cables or bars I5 provided with tensioning means such as stretchers.

The upper and lower frames 50 and SI could be of unequal dimensions, and while maintaining the conception of FIG. 1, they could form truncated pyramids capable of being nested one within the other. Assembly would be effected by reversing alternate components in the matrix.

As shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to obtain sloping roof structures with components of trapezoidal section 52 and by retaining the horizontal plane of the lower frames 50, for the connection of a ceiling. Apart from the trapezoidal form, these components may be the same as those of FIG. I.

Components of appropriate trapezoidal section could also form structures in the form of arches.

Where structures are to be of considerable height, other arrangements can be envisaged which would pennit maintaining on the sides of the structure the same functional fixing holes 5.

FIG II shows another embodiment comprising four portions B1, B2, B3, and B4 each of pyramid form and the upper frames I6 of which are connected at their comers along diagonal planes by means of bolts I7 (FIG. 12).

Lattice bars 18 are welded at the corners of the frames 16 and in each portion are connected together by a flat bar I9 of thickness in which a hole is drilled. The apices of the portions 81 to B4 of pyramid form are connected by a frame which is square and the diagonal of which is equal to M /E The frame is fixed to the bars I9 of the portions B1 to B4.

FIG. I3 illustrates the method of locking a bar 19 between the corner connecting members of the lower frame.

The side of a structure such as may be formed by the com ponent of FIG. 11 may be completed by half frame components 21 and quarter frame components 22 provided with tapped coupling nuts 23. A framework comprising such an assembly of several frames 20, 21 and 22 and of portions B1 to B4 is shown in FIG. 15.

The apices of the portions of pyramid form are also capable of being connected by tubes 24 formed at their ends with washers 25 having a tapped hole (FIG. I4). A connecting member formed by a cylindrical part 26 in which are drilled two orthogonal tapped holes then replaces the bar I9 welded to the apex of portions 81 to 84.

For this assembly, a screw 27 is fitted into a corresponding tube 24 and then a screw 28 is fitted into the other tube. A screw 29 is then locked in the part 26 and the other two tubes are screwed on the screws 28 and 29.

The screws 27, 28 and 29, the threads of which are reversed, are mounted at right angles to each other, so that rotation of the tubes 24 permits the axes of the parts 26 to be brought closer together or further apart.

Structures having a large span and great heights are capable of being formed by means of pyramids consisting of a base frame 30 and four lattice bars 31 welded on a connecting member ofboss 32 (FIGS. 16, I7 and 18). Such components may be combined to provide a component according to FIG. I 1.

FIG. 21 illustrates one method of connecting the apices of the components together by means of a bolt 33. The frames are also connected at their corners by means of bolts 34, which likewise fix the ends of compression tubes 35 (FIG. I9).

FIG. 22 illustrates a modification of the assembly with cutaway connecting members in order to prevent shearing of the bolt 34.

FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate a framework which is formed of components as illustrated in FIGS. 16, I7 and I8.

In this embodiment, it is possible to replace the lattice bars 31 by cables equipped with tensioning means, such as stretchers, thereby omitting the connecting members 32.

lclaim:

1. A framework module component a plurality of which are assembled forming a three-dimensional matrix, each module component comprising two frame members each having four comers, lattice means interconnecting said frame members and holding them in fixed spaced relation, component connecting means at each comer of each of said frames having an aperture the axis of which is aligned in the diagonal plane of the frame, and means passing through said apertures connecting said components in corner-to-corner relation forming a three-dimensional matrix with the corner-to-corner diagonals of said frames extending in the dimensional directions of said matrix.

2. A framework module component as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said two frames comprises a plurality of bars releasably secured to members fixed to said lattice means.

3. A framework module component as claimed in claim I, wherein said lattice means comprises spacing members, and tensioning cables having tensioning means and arranged between said frames to keep said spacing members under compression.

4. A framework module component as claimed in claim I, in which at least one of said frame members comprises two portions each having a zigzag configuration with said component connecting means located at the apices thereof whereby said two portions are joined to provide a sequence of said frames diagonally aligned.

5. A framework module component as claimed in claim 1 in which said lattice means have a pyramid form with one of said frames forming the base of said pyramid and a further component connection means at the apex of said pyramid-shaped lattice means for joining two such components in an apextoapex configuration.

6. A framework module component as claimed in claim I, wherein said lattice means comprises a plurality of members releasably secured to said component connecting means at the corners of said frames.

7. A framework module component as claimed in claim 6, further comprising tensioning cables with tensioning means for holding said releasably secured members under compression.

8. A framework module component as claimed in claim I wherein each of said frame members is a rhombus.

9. A framework module component as claimed in claim 8 wherein each of said frame members is a square.

10. A framework module component as claimed in claim 1 further comprising four frame members connected together in corner-to-corner relationship, a pyramidal-shaped lattice means on each of said four frame members, component connecting means at each apex, and a further frame member connecting said apices with component connecting means at said apices.

11. A framework module component as claimed in claim 10, wherein said further frame member comprises members connected together at the corners of the further frame member by cruciform members.

12. A framework module component as claimed in claim 10, wherein said further frame member comprises tubular members having end portions defining tapped holes in which threaded rods are secured to respective component connecting means at said apices.

13. A framework module component, a plurality of which are assembled forming a three-dimensional matrix, each module component having a parallelepiped form having square frames at two opposite sides, each frame comprising four bars connected by four connecting members arranged at the four corners of said frame, each connecting member having an aperture the axis of which is aligned in the diagonal plane of the frame, lattice means connecting said frames together in a fixed spaced relation, and fixing elements received in said apertures to connect said components in corner-to-corner relationship forming a three-dimensional matrix with the corner-to-corner diagonals of said frames extending in the dimensional directions of said matrix.

14. A framework module component as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one of said frames comprises at least four bars releasably secured to bosses secured to said connecting members.

IS. A framework module component as claimed in claim [3 wherein said lattice means comprise members releasably secured to said connecting members. 

1. A framework module component a plurality of which are assembled forming a three-dimensional matrix, each module component comprising two frame members each having four corners, lattice means interconnecting said frame members and holding them in fixed spaced relation, component connecting means at each corner of each of said frames having an aperture the axis of which is aligned in the diagonal plane of the frame, and means passing through said apertures connecting said components in corner-to-corner relation forming a three-dimensional matrix with the corner-to-corner diagonals of said frames extending in the dimensional directIons of said matrix.
 2. A framework module component as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said two frames comprises a plurality of bars releasably secured to members fixed to said lattice means.
 3. A framework module component as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lattice means comprises spacing members, and tensioning cables having tensioning means and arranged between said frames to keep said spacing members under compression.
 4. A framework module component as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of said frame members comprises two portions each having a zigzag configuration with said component connecting means located at the apices thereof whereby said two portions are joined to provide a sequence of said frames diagonally aligned.
 5. A framework module component as claimed in claim 1 in which said lattice means have a pyramid form with one of said frames forming the base of said pyramid and a further component connection means at the apex of said pyramid-shaped lattice means for joining two such components in an apex-to-apex configuration.
 6. A framework module component as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lattice means comprises a plurality of members releasably secured to said component connecting means at the corners of said frames.
 7. A framework module component as claimed in claim 6, further comprising tensioning cables with tensioning means for holding said releasably secured members under compression.
 8. A framework module component as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said frame members is a rhombus.
 9. A framework module component as claimed in claim 8 wherein each of said frame members is a square.
 10. A framework module component as claimed in claim 1 further comprising four frame members connected together in corner-to-corner relationship, a pyramidal-shaped lattice means on each of said four frame members, component connecting means at each apex, and a further frame member connecting said apices with component connecting means at said apices.
 11. A framework module component as claimed in claim 10, wherein said further frame member comprises members connected together at the corners of the further frame member by cruciform members.
 12. A framework module component as claimed in claim 10, wherein said further frame member comprises tubular members having end portions defining tapped holes in which threaded rods are secured to respective component connecting means at said apices.
 13. A framework module component, a plurality of which are assembled forming a three-dimensional matrix, each module component having a parallelepiped form having square frames at two opposite sides, each frame comprising four bars connected by four connecting members arranged at the four corners of said frame, each connecting member having an aperture the axis of which is aligned in the diagonal plane of the frame, lattice means connecting said frames together in a fixed spaced relation, and fixing elements received in said apertures to connect said components in corner-to-corner relationship forming a three-dimensional matrix with the corner-to-corner diagonals of said frames extending in the dimensional directions of said matrix.
 14. A framework module component as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one of said frames comprises at least four bars releasably secured to bosses secured to said connecting members.
 15. A framework module component as claimed in claim 13 wherein said lattice means comprise members releasably secured to said connecting members. 